MIT - 16.

20 Fall, 2002

Unit 6

Plane Stress and Plane Strain

Readings:

T&G 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16

Paul A. Lagace, Ph.D.

Professor of Aeronautics & Astronautics

and Engineering Systems

Paul A. Lagace © 2001

MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

There are many structural configurations where we do not

have to deal with the full 3-D case.
• First let’s consider the models
• Let’s then see under what conditions we can
apply them

A. Plane Stress
This deals with stretching and shearing of thin slabs.
Figure 6.1 Representation of Generic Thin Slab

Paul A. Lagace © 2001 Unit 6 - p. 2

MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

The body has dimensions such that

h << a, b
(Key: where are limits to “<<“??? We’ll
consider later)
Thus, the plate is thin enough such that there is no variation of
displacement (and temperature) with respect to y3 (z).
Furthermore, stresses in the z-direction are zero (small order of
magnitude).
Figure 6.2 Representation of Cross-Section of Thin Slab

Paul A. Lagace © 2001 Unit 6 - p. 3

MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

Thus, we assume:
σzz = 0
σyz = 0
σxz = 0
∂
= 0
∂z
So the equations of elasticity reduce to:

Equilibrium
∂σ11 ∂σ 21
+ + f1 = 0 (1)
∂y1 ∂y 2
∂σ12 ∂σ 22
+ + f2 = 0 (2)
∂y1 ∂y 2
(3rd equation is an identity) 0=0
(f3 = 0)
In general: ∂σ βα + f = 0
α
∂y β
Paul A. Lagace © 2001 Unit 6 - p. 4
MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

Stress-Strain (fully anisotropic)

Primary (in-plane) strains
1
ε1 =
E1
[σ 1 − ν12σ 2 − η16 σ 6 ] (3)

1
ε2 =
E2
[ − ν 21 σ 1 + σ 2 − η 26 σ 6 ] (4)

1
ε6 =
G6
[ −η61 σ 1 − η62σ 2 + σ 6 ] (5)

Invert to get:
* ε σγ
σ αβ = Eαβσγ

Secondary (out-of-plane) strains

⇒ (they exist, but they are not a primary part of the problem)
1
ε3 =
E3
[ − ν 31σ1 − ν 32 σ 2 − η36 σ 6 ]

Paul A. Lagace © 2001 Unit 6 - p. 5

MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

1
ε4 =
G4
[ − η41 σ1 − η42 σ 2 − η46 σ 6 ]

1
ε5 =
G5
[ −η51 σ1 − η52 σ 2 − η56 σ 6 ]

Note: can reduce these for orthotropic, isotropic

(etc.) as before.
Strain - Displacement
Primary
∂u1
ε11 = (6)
∂y1
∂u2
ε 22 = (7)
∂y 2
1  ∂u1 ∂u2 
ε12 =  +  (8)
2  ∂y 2 ∂y1 

Paul A. Lagace © 2001 Unit 6 - p. 6

MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

Secondary
1  ∂u1 ∂u3 

ε13 =  + 

2  ∂y 3 ∂y1 

1  ∂u2 ∂u3 
ε 23 =  + 
2  ∂y 3 ∂y 2 
∂u3
ε 33 =
∂y 3
Note: that for an orthotropic material
(ε 23 ) (ε13 )
ε 4 = ε 5 = 0 (due to stress-strain relations)

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MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

This further implies from above

∂
(since = 0)
∂y 3
No in-plane variation
∂u3
= 0
∂y α
but this is not exactly true

⇒ INCONSISTENCY
Why? This is an idealized model and thus an approximation. There
are, in actuality, triaxial (σzz, etc.) stresses that we ignore here as
being small relative to the in-plane stresses!
(we will return to try to define “small”)

Final note: for an orthotropic material, write the tensorial

stress-strain equation as:
2-D plane stress
σ αβ = E∗αβσγ ε σγ (α, β, σ, γ = 1, 2)

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MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

There is not a 1-to-1 correspondence between the 3-D Emnpq and

the 2-D E*αβσγ. The effect of ε33 must be incorporated since ε33 does
not appear in these equations by using the (σ33 = 0) equation.

This gives:

ε33 = f(εαβ)

Also, particularly in composites, another “notation” will be used in

the case of plane stress in place of engineering notation:
subscript x = 1 = L (longitudinal)…along major axis
change y = 2 = T (transverse)…along minor axis

The other important “extreme” model is…

B. Plane Strain

This deals with long prismatic bodies:

Paul A. Lagace © 2001 Unit 6 - p. 9

MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

Figure 6.3 Representation of Long Prismatic Body

Dimension in z - direction is much, much larger than in

the x and y directions
L >> x, y
Paul A. Lagace © 2001
Unit 6 - p. 10

MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

(Key again: where are limits to “>>”??? … we’ll

consider later)
Since the body is basically “infinite” along z, the important loads are in the
x - y plane (none in z) and do not change with z:
∂ ∂
= = 0
∂y 3 ∂z

This implies there is no gradient in displacement along z, so (excluding

rigid body movement):
u3 = w = 0

Equations of elasticity become:

Equilibrium:
Primary
∂σ11 ∂σ 21
+ + f1 = 0 (1)
∂y1 ∂y 2

∂σ12 ∂σ 22
+ + f2 = 0 (2)
∂y1 ∂y 2
Paul A. Lagace © 2001 Unit 6 - p. 11
MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

Secondary
∂σ13 ∂σ 23
+ + f3 = 0
∂y1 ∂y 2
σ13 and σ23 exist but do not enter into primary
consideration
Strain - Displacement
∂u1
ε11 = (3)
∂y1
∂u2
ε 22 = (4)
∂y 2
1  ∂u1 ∂u2 
ε12 =  +  (5)
2  ∂y 2 ∂y1 
 
Assumptions  ∂ = 0, w = 0 give:
 ∂y 3 
ε13 = ε 23 = ε 33 = 0
(Plane strain)

Paul A. Lagace © 2001 Unit 6 - p. 12

MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

Stress - Strain
(Do a similar procedure as in plane stress)
3 Primary
σ11 = ... (6)
σ 22 = ... (7)
σ12 = ... (8)
Secondary
σ13 = 0
orthotropic (≠ 0 for anisotropic)
σ 23 = 0
σ 33 ≠ 0
INCONSISTENCY: No load along z,
yet σ33 (σzz) is non zero.

Why? Once again, this is an idealization. Triaxial strains (ε 33)

actually arise.
You eliminate σ33 from the equation set by expressing it in terms of
σαβ via (σ33) stress-strain equation.
Paul A. Lagace © 2001 Unit 6 - p. 13
MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

SUMMARY Plane Stress Plane Strain

Geometry: thickness (y3) << in-plane length (y3) >> in-plane

dimensions (y1, y2) dimensions (y1, y2)

Loading: σ33 << σαβ σαβ only

∂/∂y3 = 0
Resulting σi3 = 0 εi3 = 0
Assumptions:
Primary εαβ, σαβ, uα εαβ, σαβ, uα
Variables:
Secondary ε33, u3 σ33
Variable(s):
Note: Eliminate ε33 from eq. set Eliminate σ33 from eq.
by using σ33 = 0 σ - ε eq. Set by using σ33 σ - ε
and expressing ε33 in eq. and expressing σ33
terms of εαβ in terms of εαβ

Paul A. Lagace © 2001

Unit 6 - p. 14

MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

Examples
Plane Stress:

Figure 6.4 Pressure vessel (fuselage, space habitat) Skin

in order of 70 MPa
(10 ksi)

po ≈ 70 kPa (~ 10 psi for living environment)

⇒ σzz << σxx, σyy, σxy

Paul A. Lagace © 2001 Unit 6 - p. 15

MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

Plane Strain:
Figure 6.5 Dams

water
pressure

Figure 6.6 Solid Propellant Rockets

high internal pressure

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MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

but…when do these apply???

Depends on…
• loading
• geometry
• material and its response
• issues of scale
• how “good” do I need the answer

• what are we looking for (deflection, failure, etc.)

We’ve talked about the first two, let’s look a little at each of the last three:
--> Material and its response
• Elastic response and coupling changes importance /
magnitude of “primary” / “secondary” factors
(Key: are “primary” dominating the response?)
--> Issues of scale
• What am I using the answer for? at what level?
• Example: standing on table
--overall deflection or reactions in legs are not
dependent on way I stand (tip toe or flat foot)
Paul A. Lagace © 2001 Unit 6 - p. 17
MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

⇒ model of top of table as plate in

bending is sufficient
--stresses under my foot very sensitive to
specifics
(if table top is foam, the way I stand
will determine whether or not I
crush the foam)

--> How “good” do I need the answer?

• In preliminary design, need “ballpark” estimate; in final
design, need “exact” numbers
• Example: as thickness increases when is a plate no
longer in plane stress

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MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

Figure 6.7 Representation of the “continuum” from plane stress to

plane strain

very thin a continuum

(plane stress)
very thick
(plane strain)

No line(s) of demarkation. Numbers

approach idealizations but never get
to it.

Must use engineering judgment

AND

Clearly identify key assumptions in model and resulting limitations

Paul A. Lagace © 2001 Unit 6 - p. 19